Pardons Canada: Can I Travel to the US with an Assault Conviction?
Assault is the most common criminal charge in Canada. It comes in many forms but usually the assault charges stem from a domestic dispute.
Often, these criminal charges are later dropped once the argument simmers down or the charges are dismissed, acquitted, absolute or conditionally discharged in court. Regardless, if the person has been fingerprinted for the crime, then that charge remains in the system until a file destruction is processed.
There are many ways a criminal charge can affect your life including employment and travel related purposes. However, it seems that even landlords are now doing criminal background checks on potential tennants.
Here’s a letter from a person we recently helped to get a File Destruction for a domestic assault charge that was withdrawn:
“I am writing a note of appreciation for having my fingerprints and photos related to an assault charge (that was later dropped) destroyed through your services. I actually have an interesting story to tell about having these records destroyed.”
“I was looking for an apartment in Ottawa this past week, as I’ve found employment there, and was able to quickly find a place to live that I found most appealing to me.”
“One little problem though: the landlord wanted to do a criminal records check in order to process my application. My heart sunk a little bit at this news, and I thought that there was no way that I was going to get this apartment and that I shouldn’t even bother applying due to the existence of a criminal record, however minor it might be.”
“However, I received a phone message on my voice mail from Pardons Canada that very day telling me that my files had been destroyed.”
“You have no idea how much of a relief this was, and I was able to complete my apartment application with the confidence that nothing would turn up about me in a criminal records search. In fact, nothing must have showed up on the search, as I woulnd up getting the apartment early the very next day!”
If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at [email protected] or call 1-877-929-6011.
Pardons Canada undertakes all necessary steps and procedures for removing your criminal record, including: Pardons/Record Suspensions, Purges, Photograph & Fingerprint Destruction, and U.S. Entry Waivers.
